Key 2021 Voting Deadlines, Timeline In New Jersey

NEW JERSEY - While the 2021 election cycle will look a lot different from last year, there are still some changes, and deadlines, voters should be aware of. Namely, while last year the election was primarily vote-by-mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year will be primarily in-person—with a twist.

"All of our regularly operated polling places will be open for all voters who wish to cast their ballots on the voting machines," Murphy said at his COVID-19 briefing.

A little over a week later, Murphy signed into law an expansion of early-voting availability throughout New Jersey.

How It Works

The bill develops an in-person early-voting procedure to allow people to cast votes beginning 10 days before a general election and ending the Sunday after an election, in specifically designated polling places.

Those who participate in early voting wouldn't be allowed to send a mail-in ballot or vote in-person on Election Day. Early voting would only be required for June primaries and November general elections. But under the law, cities and towns with May elections can adopt an early-voting period by passing a local ordinance.

New Jersey's new law requires each county to open three to seven polling places for early machine voting. For the upcoming November election, there would be nine days of early in-person voting, including two weekends.

"Implementing in-person early voting will take extraordinary effort and teamwork from our county clerks and election officials," said Secretary of State Tahesha Way. "I want to thank them in advance for the hours and energy they will dedicate to make in-person early voting a reality this year."

Murphy touted that New Jersey's new regulations create automatic voter registration, online registration, restored voting rights for people on probation and parole and an end to prison gerrymandering. New Jersey passed legislation last year to restore the voting rights of people on probation and parole.

"Automatic" registration doesn't mean the same in New Jersey as other locations. In Oregon, the policy means people automatically become enrolled to vote upon eligibility. But New Jersey requires people eligible to register on their own.

New Jersey adopted a form of "automatic" registration in 2018, allowing the Motor Vehicle Commission to automatically register eligible voters when they apply for a permit, license or ID card, unless the applicant declines registration.

By contrast, Murphy signed online voter registration into law last year.

As Murphy signed the bill, he also advocated for same-day voter registration and allowing 17-year-olds to vote "allowing 17-year-olds to register and vote in our primaries if they turn 18 by the General Election."

To register in New Jersey, you must be:

• A United States citizen
• At least 17 years old, though you may not vote until you have reached the age of 18
• A resident of the county for 30 days before the election
• A person not serving a sentence of incarceration as the result of a conviction of any indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.
• The registrant must complete a Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form. Mail or deliver the Voter Registration Application and/or Party Affiliation Form to the County Commissioner of Registration or Superintendent of Elections for your county.

You are not eligible to register to vote if:

• You are serving a sentence of Incarceration as a result of a conviction of an indictable offense under the laws of this or another state or of the United States.
• The registration deadline to vote in the next election is 21 days prior to the election day.

2021 Primary Election Timeline (Key Points)

April 5
Nomination Petition Filing Deadline for Primary Election.

April 13
Publication of Notice of Mail-in Ballot Availability for Primary Election by County Clerks.

April 14
Deadline for Change of Party Affiliation Declaration Forms for Primary Election to be Filed with County Commissioners of Registration.

April 19
Deadline for Preparation of Official Primary Election Ballot for Printing.

April 24
Commencement of Mailing of Mail-In Ballots for Primary Election.

May 15
Certification of Polling Places by County Boards of Election. Filing of Certification of Accessible Polling Places to the Secretary of State by the County Boards of Election.

May 18
Voter Registration Deadline for Primary Election.

May 25
Deadline for Filing of Challenger Appointments for Primary Election.

May 30 – June 5
Publication of Notice of Primary Election by County Boards of Election.

June 1
Deadline to apply for a Mail-In Ballot by Mail for Primary Election.

June 2
Mailing of Sample Ballots for Primary Election.

June 4
Deadline for Application to Receive Primary Election Mail-In Ballots by Electronic Means for Qualified Overseas Civilian and Military Voters.

June 7 – by 3 p.m.
Deadline for In-Person Mail-In Ballot Applications for Primary Election.

June 8
Primary Election Day. Deadline for Post Office Receipt of Mail-In Ballots.

June 9 - June 25
Impoundment Period for Voting Machines Used in the Primary Election.

June 14
Deadline for Receipt of Timely Mailed Postmarked Mail-In Ballots to County Boards of Election.

June 21
Deadline for Municipal Clerk to Certify to County Clerk and County Board of Elections the Names of Duly Elected County Committee Members.

June 22
Canvass of Primary Election Votes by County Clerks.

June 25
Deadline for Recount Applications for Primary Election. Deadline for Applications for Recheck of Voting Machines Used in the Primary Election. Deadline for Preparation of Emergency and Provisional Ballot Reports by Each County Board of Election for the Primary Election.

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